SERIOUS injuries were sustained during a head-on crash after a car veered across the road.

Antony Lee Yates, of Buckton Close, Whittle Le Woods, Chorley, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to driving an Audi SQ5 without due care and attention when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, February 12.

Abul Hussain, prosecutor, said Yates’ Audi suddenly veered into the oncoming lane directly into the path of a Ford Transit Van at 4pm on the A477 Cosheston to Milton road, on August 17.

The van driver attempted to take evasive action but was unable to avoid a head-on collision.

He suffered serious injuries including chipped bones in his foot, a fractured wrist and soft tissue damage to both feet.

Yates sustained four broken ribs, whiplash and broke 12 bones in his left hand. His passenger suffered a mini stroke as a result of a tear to an artery in her neck during the collision and broke her collarbone and ribs. Another passenger had injuries to his knees.

Mr Hussain said extensive damage was caused, adding it was an aggravating factor that the Audi had crossed a double, solid white line.

The court heard that Yates, 54, previously held a clean driving licence.

Sophie Hill, defending, said: “As a result of the accident my client has no recollection of the incident and can’t give any reason for what took place.He has been trying to piece together what happened.”

Miss Hill told the bench that Yates’ injuries had already had an impact on his company, adding that two of his friends were injured in the collision.

“My client wishes to express his remorse to the driver of the van and the people who sustained injuries.”

Yates was fined £576 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £57 surcharge.

Nine penalty points were added to his licence.

Following the crash dozens of people joined a search to find a dog that fled from one of the vehicles, with black Labrador Darcy thankfully being found uninjured the following day.